It’s also frustrating, because it’s yet another musical in Birmingham where quite often, even in a relatively small space, you can’t hear the actors when they sing. Rule number one: You’ve got to get the sound working if you’re going to do a musical.

But first, the good stuff.

Director Daniel Martin has assembled a fearless and talented cast to tackle the strange and sordid tale of Brad and Janet, two naïve lovebirds who have the misfortune of having their car break down right next to the castle of Dr. Frank N’ Furter, the “sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania.”

This stage show became the cult film favorite “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and what you see on screen is basically what you see on stage: some crazy characters, including Riff Raff, Magenta, Columbia and Rocky, doing some mighty crazy things.

DETAILS

What: “The Rocky Horror Show,” presented by Theatre Downtown

When: Through Nov. 9

Where: Fifth Avenue Antiques, 2410 Fifth Ave. South

Bottom line: Four out of five stars

Tickets: 205-565-8838 or www.theatredowntown.org

For “Rocky Horror” to work really well, you need a totally committed cast, which this production definitely has. From Brad and Janet (delightfully played by Tony Morse and Flannery Hooks) to the leather-clad narrator (Bates Redwine) to high-heels-wearing Frank N’ Furter (Sam Torres) to all the other assorted characters, the show is cast well.

You also need a committed audience, and the full house at Theatre Downtown Friday night didn’t disappoint. Two guys on opposite ends of the theater – which it turns out were just regular audience members and not planted – provided the requisite audience feedback to some of the dialogue in the show.

That all worked really well.

What didn’t work was the sound. It’s great to have a good band play live, as TD does with “Rocky,” but the downside is that it’s too easy to drown out the actors. That was particularly the case during the second act. Despite the performers wearing microphones, you’d be hard-pressed to know what they were singing if you didn’t know the show already.

The bland set was a disappointment, too. Come on, you’re in a transvestite’s castle. If you’re ever going to go over-the-top and flashy, this is it. But this “Rocky” had none of that.

That being said, you’re not going to be bored. From the skimpy costumes to the suggestive choreography to the wacky storyline, there are more fun moments than not. Fans of the show will have a good time, and for newbies, the Halloween season is a great time of year to be introduced to Rocky and his merry gang of misfits. Just sit in front so you can hear them sing.